The wife of a
convicted drug trafficker was handed a three-year sentence today
for laundering proceeds of his multi-million-pound criminal enterprise.
Fiona Blake put drug trade revenue through her personal bank
account, which helped her husband Craig conceal his leading role
in a criminal network that stretched across southern England to
South Wales, and as far afield as Australia.
She joins Friday Quick, another gang member's wife,
behind bars after the latter was sentenced to 18 months for
similar offences in 2010.
SOCA's Matt Horne said:
"This is not simply a case of enjoying a lifestyle
funded by serious criminality. Fiona Blake took an important role
in attempting to conceal the profits of a major drug-dealing
organisation. SOCA will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle
entire criminal networks, however great their efforts to evade
detection and launder the money they make.
"It is a sad fact that the Blakes' and the
Quicks' young children now have both parents serving
prison sentences. Anyone tempted to involve themselves in
organised crime should consider just how devastating the
consequences can be."
Fiona Blake takes the number of people convicted in relation to
the crime network's activities to 27. She will now be
subject to a confiscation investigation concerning money and
assets acquired through criminal activity.
Made up of three regional gangs working together, the drugs
network is believed to have trafficked around half-a-tonne of
cocaine into the UK. SOCA's investigation was assisted by
police officers from Dorset, Kent and South Wales constabularies.
To view the image that accompanies this release,
please follow the link below:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/ImageLibrary/detail.aspx?MediaDetailsID=2999
Notes to editors:
Fiona Blake: Age 40, of Huntly Road, Bournemouth. Convicted of
money laundering offences on 21/12/2010.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Richard Sellors
Phone: 0870 496 5445
richard.sellors@soca.x.gsi.gov.uk